Rail-joint



(No Model.) s sheets-,sheet 1.

M. C. NILES. f

No. 501,093. RAIL JOINM-,entd Jul-.y 11, 1893;

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RAIL JOINT (No Model.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. M. o. NILBS.

I RAIL JoINT. K No. 5.015093.- Patented July 11, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON C. NILES, OF

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 501,093, dated July11, 1893.

Application filed June 14, 1892. Serial No. 436,676. (No model.)

sides of the foot fianges; and the object of my invention, generallystated, is to provide a rail joint that shall be simple of constructionand easy of manufacture and will firmly, but elastically, support therails at their meeting ends, without necessitating the puncturing of therails, or otherwise altering their present form.

More particularly, one of the important objects of my invention is toemploy truss plates of different depth or vertical diameter, andconsequently, of different strength, on opposite sides of the rails, andat the same time proportionately distribute the pressure or strainbetween the two plates.

A further important object of my invention, is to bind the truss platesin place and at the same time cause them to lean toward the rails, bythe vertical pressure employed for supporting the rails.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in certain featuresofnoveltyin the construction, combination and arrangement :of parts, bywhich the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter describedare attained, as fully explained with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims. n

In the said drawings,-Figure l, is a vertical transverse section of arail having my improved joint applied thereto, taken on the line l, 1',Fig. 2. Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, on a smaller scale. Fig. 3, is aperspective view of the same. Fig. 4, is a longitudinal sectional view,taken on the line 4, 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5, is a view similar to Fig. 1,0nasmaller scale showing a slight modification in the arrangement of thevertical bolts and also illustrating brace-plates in dotted lines. Fig.6, is a transverse sectional lview of a portion of my joint,illustrating a modified form of truss-plate, which will be hereinafterexplained, and Fig. 7, is a perspective view ofa still furthermodification of the same.

In the drawings, wherein like signs of reference indicate like partsthroughout the several views, l, are the rails, of the ordinary or anysuitable construction, upon whose foot flanges, 2, are supportedvertically arranged truss-plates, 3, 4, one on each side, as usual inrail joints. Passing under the rails at the point where they cometogether, is a base-plate or chair, 5, which yis provided at both sideswith upturned flanges, 6. Supported upon the upper edge of each of thetruss-plates, 3, 4,

is an angle iron or plate, 7, through which and the base-plate or chair5, pass a number of bolts, S, 8L which are so arranged as to comevagainst the outer edges of the rail ianges, as shown more clearly inFig. 1, and

vthus hold the rails against transverse or lat-l eral movement. Thesebolts, serve to bind the base-plate or chair, 5, firmly against theunder sides of the rail flanges, and in doing so, clamp the truss plates3, 4, firmly upon the upper sides of such flanges, and thus renderdownward movement of the rails at their junction impossible, withoutbending thetruss-plates 3, 4, transversely of their verticalareas, andas they may be made of great depth, it will be seen that a joint thusconstructed possesses great strength. It will, of course, be understood,that it is immaterial how high the edge of the joint extends on theouter side of the rail, or on that side of.

the rail where the wheel flanges do no t come, so long as it'does notextend above the rail, so as to be struck by the edge of the tread; andin order that this space may be fully utilized to the best advantage forthe accommodation of a strengthening medium, I eX- tend the truss-plate,3, upward a considerableI distance above the top ofthe truss-plate 4,`

so as to greatly increase the vertical diameter of its cross-section,and, as will be understood, greatly increases its strength over that ofthe truss 4. vThis ineql'lality ofthe vtwo truss-plates, 3, 4, ofcourse, renders the joint stronger on one side than on the other,and`

ordinarily, this difference in strength on the two sides of the rails,would result in an Vuneven or tipping movement thereof, in case IOO theweight of the rolling' stock should be sut`` ficient to depress them atthe joint, but, in order that the weaker sides of the joint, or theweaker truss-plate 4, may be relieved of a portion of the strain, andthe truss-plate 3 caused to sustain such portion, so as to distributethe pressure between the two trussplates proportionately to theirrespective strengths, I provide the base-plate, or chair 5, with a bossor fulcrum, 9, arranged lengthwise of the rails, but nearer the plate 3than the plate 4, so that the power of the bolt 8 will act upon theplate 3 through alonger leverage than that through which the bolt 8 actsupon the plate 4. The truss-plates, 3, 4, are provided throughout theirlower edges with toe flanges, 10, which restupon the inclined 'surfaceof the rail flanges, and strengthen the trussplates laterally, and atthe same time improve their bearing surfaces. The truss-plates, 3, 4,rest throughout their height against the vertical bolts, 8, 8, and itwill be seen, that the act of tightening up such bolts produces atendency in the truss plates to slide `down the inclines of the railflanges, which, ot' course, results in their closer engagement with thebolts 8 Sa; and as such bolts are held against outward movement, thetruss plates will be prevented from slipping oft the rail fianges attheir lower edges. With the truss-plates provided with the toe flanges,10, it is hardly possible that the action of the bolts 8, 8a could causethe upper edges of the truss-plates to slip inward' from under theplates 7, but as a precaution or safe-guard against such inward movementof the truss-plates independently of the plates, 7, I provide the inneredges of the plates 7 with depending lips vor lugs, 11,

which engage over the upper edges of the truss-plates, as shown, andhold them firmly against the bolts.

' In order that there may be no' outward movement of the bolts S, Sadand plates 7, I provide the latter with depending flanges or wedges, 12,along their outer edges, which engage between the upturned fianges, 6,of the baseplate, and the bolts 8, 8, the space between the truss-plates3, 4,and the wedges 12 being just sufficient to permit ot' the passageof the bolts, and the wedges l2 being of considerable depth or verticaldiameter in crosssection, they will bear at a low point on the bolts,and thus effectually prevent the plates 7 from tipping when the boltsare tightened up. The flanges, 6, of the base-plate, are inclined orwedge shaped, so as to be complementary in shape to the wedges 12, andthus, it will be seen, that as the bolts 8, 8* are tightened up, thewedges 12 will crowd between the rigid fianQres, 6, and the bolts, 8, 8,`and will cause the bolts a slight tendency to tip inward, whichmovement will, of course, be

i also imparted to the truss-plates, 3, 4, causing may be interposedbetween the heads of the rails and the angle formed by each of thetruss-plates with its toe flange, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5,whereby the upward movement of the toe fiange 10 will be transmitted tothe heads of the rails for affording them greater support and guardingagainst their independent lateral movement. But, it should beunderstood,that the purpose of 4the inward movement of the bolts 8, 8 attheir upper ends, induced by the wedges, 6, 12, is not simplyforsupplying motion to the braceplates, as the joint as a whole, iscomplete without such brace-plates, this inward movement being mainlyfor the purpose of counteracting the tendency of the truss-plates 3, 4,to rock outward under the pressure of the bolts 8, 8a.

The truss-plates, 3, 4, may be about the same in length as the ordinaryfish plates, 4or long enough to rest on two ties,while the baseplate orchair, 5, and the plates 7, need be of sufficient length only to extenda short distance along each rail; usually, they are about five inches inlength, while the truss-plates are thirty inches in length.

The joint as a whole, may be anchored to the ties in any of the wellknown ways, but I prefer to accomplish this by providing thetruss-plates along their lower outer edges with outwardly projectingflanges, 13, in whichare formed notches, through which spikes, 13, aredriven into the Vcross-ties. This fiange, 13, is also cut away, as shownin Fig. 4, so as to form shoulders, 13b, adjacent to the bolts 8, t thuspreventing the longitudinal movement of the base-plate 'and partsconnected therewith, relatively to the truss-plates.

There may be any desired number of the bolts 8, 8, but I have found`that two on each side are sufficient, the nuts on vthe bolts 8, beingarranged on the upper ends, while those on the bolts Sar-the side of therails on which the wheel flanges pass-*being arranged on the lower ends,the joint being usually tightened by means of the upper nuts.

An advantage in using two bolts on each side, is that each may be passedthrough or set into an ordinary notch in the edge of the rail flanges,as shown in Fig. `5, thus not only getting the bearing points of thetruss-plates, 3, 4, nearer the web of the rail,but anchoring the railsto the joint `and preventing them from creeping away from the joint.

The main purpose of the plates 7, itfwl'l be understood, is toconstitute a flat and firm bearing surface for the heads and nuts of thebolts, 8, 8, while at the same time, (by reason of their lips or lugs11) guarding against the displacement of 'the truss-plates,3,4; and forthe sake of convenience of description, I will therefore, hereinafterterm them bearing plates; but I wish it to be distinctly understood thatby that term I do not mean to include the lipsor lugs 11, and wedges l2,unless the same are particularly specified.

As a modification of the truss-plates and IOO the bearing plates '7, Ihaveshown in Fig. 6, a form in which the truss-plate and the bearingplate are formed integrally. `In this instance, the lug or lip 11, is,of course, omitted. The bearing-plate 72L is thicker than in the otherform, and the Wedge 12a thereon, is formed by beveling its outer edge,so as to co-operate with the Wedge-shaped flange, 6, and perform thefunctions before described. The bearing plates 7a, in this instance, mayor may not extend throughout the length of the truss-plate, et.

As a still further modication of the trussplates, I have shown in Fig.7, a much simplified form, in which the bearing plates for the bolts 8,8a are constituted by vertical wedgeshaped ribs or brackets, 7 b, soarranged as to come one on each side of each bolt, under the head, ornut thereof. With this form, the necessity of punching or boring holesfor the bolts is avoided, and the whole truss plate, with the bearingplates or brackets 7.b thereon, maybe rolled or drop-forged by oneoperation.

Should the rails be already provided with the ordinary angle-bars orangular fish-plates,

the truss-plates,3,4, mightbe supported upon the inclined portionsAthereof, instead of on.

the foot flanges of the rails asshown, if it should bedesired to vemploysuch angle-irons in conjunction with my improved joint.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is v l. In a rail joint, thecombination with the rails and a chairfor base-plate, of a trussplatesupported on edge on the rail flanges` and means for suspending saidbase plate from the upper edge of said vtruss-plate, substantially asset forth.

2. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails and a base-plateorchair, of a trussplate supported by therail flangesY and bolts havingtheir bearings upon the upper edge of said truss-plate and supportingthe base-plate, substantially as set forth.

3. In arail joint, the combination with the rails and a base-.plate orchair,.of .truss-plates supported by the rail flanges and having theirupper edges arranged at a distance from the rail-heads and means forsupporting the baseplate from said truss-plates, substantially as setforth.

4. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails provided withldownwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces; of truss-plates restingupon said inclined surface, a base-plate having upturnedflanges,'bearingplatessupported by said truss plates and bearing againstsaid upturned flanges, and means for drawing said bearing plates and thebaseplate or chair together,substantially as set forth.

5. In a rail joint, the combination with thek rails; of a base-plateorchair having upturned flanges, bearing plates supported.,by saidtruss-plates and having a bearingtagainst the flanges of said base-plateor chair, and ineans for drawing said bearing plates and base-plate orchair together, substantially as set forth.

6. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; ofabas'e-plate orchair having upturnedV flanges, trussplates supported by the railflanges, bearing plates supported bysaid trussplates and having Wedgesorbevels'bearing against the flanges of said base-plate or chair,andmeans for drawing said bearing. plates and base-plate or chai rtogether, substantially as set forth.

7. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of abase-plate orchair having upturned iianges, truss-plates supported by the railflanges,bearing plates supported by said trussplates and having wedgesor bevels adapted to bear against the flanges of said base-plate orchair; and bolts against which said trussplates bear, for clamping saidbase-plate or chairand truss-plates on the rail flanges, substantiallyas set forth.

8. In a rail joint. the combination with the rails; of a base-plate orchair having upturned flanges, truss-plates supported by the rail flanges, bearing plates supported bylsaid trussplates and having wedges orbevels 'adapted to bear against said upturned fianges; and bolts passingthrough said bearing plates and base-plate orchair contiguous to ltheedges of the rail anges, substantially .as set forth.

9. In a rail joint, the, combination withthe rails; of abase-plate orchairhaving upturned IOO beveled or Wedge shaped flanges, .truss-platessupported by the railiiangesbearing plates supported by said truss-plates and having bearing against said upturned beveled flanges,andmeans for drawing said bearing .plates and base-plate or chairtogether, substantially as set forth.

10. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of abase-plate orchair having upturned anges, truss-plates supported by the rail Yflanges, bearing plates supportedbysaid trussflanges and having inturnedangle toes, bearing plates supported by said truss-.plates and s havingwedges or 4bevels adapted to bear against the said upturnediiang'esandmeans for. drawing said bearing plates and base-plate or chair together,substantially `as set forth.

l2. In a rail joint, the combination with the l Y rails; of a base-plateo'r chair having upturned flanges, `truss -plates supported. by the railflanges and having inturned angle-toes, braceplates interposedbetween-said angle toes and the heads of the rails, bearing platesAsupported `bysaid truss-plates and having wedges or bevels adapted tobear against said upturned ianges, and means for drawing saidv bearingplates and base-plate `or 'chaifr to-` substantially as set forth.

gether, substantially as set forth.

13. In arail joint, the combination with the rails; of a base-plate orchairhaving upturned 1 flanges, truss -plates supported' by the railflanges, bearing plates supported by said truss-plates and havingdepending wedgeshaped or beveled portions adapted to be'ar againstsaidupturned ilanges,and bolts passing throughsaid bearing platesandbase-plate or chair and against which said beveled p01 tions bea-r,substantially as set forth.

14. In arail joint, the-combination with the rails; of a base-plate or`chair having uptu rned flanges, perpendicular truss-plates supported bythe rail rilanges, bearing :plates .supported by said truss-plates and`having depending' wedges bearing against said upturned flanges, andupright boltsragainstwhichtherail.(langes and said truss-plates bear,passing through said bearing plates and base-plate or chair,

and forming bea-rings for `said depending Wedges, substantially .as setfforth.

15. In a rail joint, the combination with athe rai-ls; having notches intheir `flanges; of a base-plateor ychair having upturned `ffianges,

truss-plates supported by the Vrail ilanges, bearing platesfsupported bysaid truss-plates and bearing against said upturned flanges, and boltspassing throughisaid bearing plates and base-plate or chai-r and "beingseated in said notches in the rail `ianges, substantiallgT asset forth.

16. In a rail joint, the combination With the rails; of truss-plates ofdiffering strength 0n opposite sides of the-rails, abase-plate orchairfulcrumed under the railsand `constituting a lever, one arm of whichlever 'being longer than the other, and a binding connection between thearms of `said leverand truss-plates,

17. In a rail j oint,thecombination with the rails; of truss-:plates ofdiering heights on opposite sides of therail-s, a base-plate or-chairhaving a fulcrum located to one sideof the centerof the rails, andbinding `connections between said base-plate or chair vand trussplates,substantiallyas set forth.

18. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of truss-plates ofdiffering strength `on opposite sidesfof the rails, a base-plateor chairhaving upturned iianges and being fulcrumed under the rails, so astovconstitute alever, one arm of which lever being longer .than theother, bearing plates supported bysaid trussplates and having bearingagainst said upturned flanges, and binding connections between saidtruss-plate'or chair 'and bearing plates, substantially asset forth.

19. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of truss-plates ofdiiering vertical 'extent on opposite sides of the rail flanges, bearing`plates supported bysaid t-russ-plates-and having depending wedge-shapedor beveled portions, a base-plate forch'air fulcrumed under the rails`to one side fof the loenter thereof, and havingrupturned flangesadapted to engage said depending portions, and upright bolts againstwhich said ydepending portions and the truss-plates bear, passingthrough said bearing plates and base-plate -or chair, substantiallyasset forth.

MILTON C. NILES.

Witnesses:

F. A. HOPKINS, R. C. OMOHUNDRO.

